Company Description

Our client is a global fintech company providing blockchain payments infrastructure that helps fintech and digital asset platforms onboard users, meet compliance requirements, and move funds in and out of the system. The business operates across multiple regulated markets and supports millions of users globally.

Role Overview

The Head of Compliance & MLRO is the accountable officer for licensing, AML/CFT, sanctions, and regulatory governance in Hong Kong. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role responsible for both regulatory strategy and day-to-day financial crime oversight post-licensing.

You will own the local compliance framework, act as the primary regulatory interface, and ensure compliance requirements are embedded across Product, Engineering, Operations, and Risk. The role reports to the Group Head of Compliance.

Key Responsibilities

• Own licence applications, variations, and ongoing regulatory obligations in Hong Kong, ensuring timely, accurate filings and audit-ready documentation
• Maintain local AML/CFT frameworks, policies, and risk assessments, and advise the business on regulatory requirements and constraints
• Act as MLRO, assessing, investigating, and reporting suspicious activity, including SARs/STRs, and conducting thematic financial crime reviews
• Oversee high-risk KYB, corporate and OTC onboarding, EDD, and 4-eye reviews on critical compliance decisions
• Ensure consistent and effective onboarding, screening, monitoring, sanctions, and PEP controls
• Review escalated sanctions and PEP cases, set local screening and escalation standards, and support ongoing control tuning
• Serve as the primary contact for regulators and auditors, managing inspections, audits, and information requests
• Define compliance requirements for new products and changes, translating regulatory obligations into practical operational and technical requirements
• Provide clear compliance guidance across teams, deliver AML/CFT and sanctions training, and promote strong judgement, documentation, and escalation discipline

Key Requirements

• Senior compliance experience within fintech, payments, or digital assets
• Proven MLRO or equivalent accountability in a regulated environment
• Strong knowledge of AML/CFT, sanctions, and licensing frameworks
• Experience working directly with regulators and auditors
• Ability to operate hands-on in fast-growing, complex environments
• Hong Kong resident

Nice to Have

• Experience in high-growth fintech or Web3 companies
• Exposure to KYC, payments infrastructure, or on and off-ramp models
• Experience scaling compliance through automation or tooling
• Familiarity with multi-jurisdiction regulatory frameworks

We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Check out all our live jobs here: https://rockrose.xyz/jobs/

To receive real-time job updates, join our Whatsapp Channel.

About Rockrose Executive Search

Rockrose is a Singapore-headquartered executive search firm for leadership hires in Revenue, Technology and Corporate functions across Asia. Visit our website to learn more. Rrose Pte. Ltd. EA License No: 22S1426